Font smoothing in OpenSUSE 11.2

By FahadMon, 12/07/2009 - 14:58

I have switched to OpenSUSE 11.2 recently. Although, I've enabled anti-aliasing option from System Settings panel, I notice that fonts aren't displayed smoothly and they are ugly.Two days ago, I found the solution for this problem. It is easy just upgrade the freetype2 packages to use subpixel hinting feature. The subpixel hinting implementation in freetype2 is disabled both upstream (by the freetype2 authors) and in the freetype2 RPM packages that ship with openSUSE because it might infringe Microsoft's ClearType patents.
You can upgrade the freetype2 packages using 1-click-install, by clicking on the image below:

Now go to Configure Desktop > Appearance > Fonts
* enable the checkbox "Use anti-aliasing for fonts"

* click on the "Configure" button next to the above mentioned checkbox

After log out and log in again, you will notice that KDE will display fonts smoothly. Unfortunately, GTK Application like Firefox will still display fonts ugly. Follow this steps to enable subpixel rendering for GTK apps in KDE:
1- Upgrade cairo package by install this version.
2- Open Kwrite in Super user mode by press alt+f2 and type: kdesu kwrite then enter, will ask you for root password.
3-copy the following contents :-

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE fontconfig SYSTEM "fonts.dtd">
<fontconfig>

<match target="font">
<edit mode="assign" name="lcdfilter">
<const>lcddefault</const>
</edit>
</match>
</fontconfig>

then save the file as 10-lcd-filter.conf in /etc/fonts/conf.avail.
4. Create a file ~/.Xresources in your /home directory and paste the following contents:-

Xft.lcdfilter: lcddefault

5. Log out and login again.

That's all and if you feel I have missed some important tips regarding this topic, please share them with us!!

12 Comments

umm

mixed martial arts (not verified) on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 18:45

I'm on 64 bit 11.2 and this doesent seem to work.

I'm on 64-bit as well and

Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 20:19

I'm on 64-bit as well and worked like a charm for me. Thanks a lot!!

Perfect :)

Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/06/2010 - 04:38

Thanks a lot! It's exactly what i wanted... It's perfect!

Thanks! Great guide, now the

Jena Plisskin (not verified) on Wed, 01/06/2010 - 00:07

Thanks! Great guide, now the fonts are ok!

Write not responding on super user

Razi (not verified) on Tue, 12/29/2009 - 18:42

im using opensuse 11.2 x64, write seems not working properly on command 'kdesu write'.after keying in password and submit, nothing happens.the workaround is by using notepad that come with wine.(kdesu notepad).

in the post : kdesu kwrite

Zayed on Tue, 12/29/2009 - 18:50

in the post : kdesu kwrite not kdesu write. kwrite is a simple text editor which comes with KDE platform.

ah, sorry typo there. it was

Razi (not verified) on Thu, 12/31/2009 - 00:28

ah, sorry typo there. it was kdesu kwrite.
don't sure what is actual cause but it not show up.

Works well on x64 VirtBox

Scott (not verified) on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 19:42

Playing around w/ openSuse 11.2 x64 here, the one-click and other text files worked really well. Firefox looks terrific!

Try...

namaku0 (not verified) on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 13:50

..."slight" for hinting style. Many peoples like
it more than "full" hinting style.

With slight hinting, I find the font is rendered
similar to Microsoft's ClearType, which is I like.

I hope it works